As a writer, there are many times when things just don’t go right. The plot takes a wrong turn. The agent doesn’t think your story is publish-worthy. Your dog eats your only hard copy of your manuscript. The writing life is full of disappointments. But it is also filled with glorious wins and blessings. As a writer, your words will reach untold numbers of people and will impact their lives in ways you can only imagine. Haven’t you read a book and thought, “I can only imagine what that character felt like”, or “I wonder if the author experienced that? How else could they write about that so deeply?” You can only write what you can imagine. And you can only imagine if you’ve felt that or something similar. Those […]
Read the RestArchive | August, 2013
Romance Writers, I’m Calling You Out
I’ve noticed something lately in romance stories. First in my own works and then in others. That is the over focus of how the hero or heroine views the other physically. It’s as if we don’t have any other way to show the reader that the hero and heroine are attracted to each other. It’s basic. Shallow. And I think we can do better. I’m challenging myself therefore I’m challenging you. I’m reading a book right now where there heroine’s internal thoughts are always on the hero’s “beauty” every time she sees him. However, he annoys the crap out of her and she’s determined not to have anything to do with him. Yet, while trying to give him the bum’s rush and cold shoulder, she flirts with him. Really? This […]
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Social Media Minute—Top 10 Ways to Get More Twitter Followers
I do a lot of teaching about social media online and at conferences all around the country. One of the things I’m asked about the most is how to increase my Twitter followers. I haven’t run into many people who don’t want to increase their numbers, so today I’m going to give you my top 10 ways to get more Twitter followers. Why do I want more Twitter followers? It gives me credibility It increases my reach, and makes it easier to spread the word, no matter what my message. How do I get more Twitter followers? 1. Be sure to follow people back. It’s considered good manners to follow people back who follow you. This doesn’t mean you have to follow people who make you uncomfortable or who are trying […]
Read the RestLessons on the Writer’s Road
As I pedal through middle-America, I think of you. When I learn new truths, I know they apply to you and what you face. The lessons I’ve learned on the bicycle road are the same lessons on the writer’s road so I want to share some of them with you: Things will NEVER go according to plan. Even your best plans are altered by reality of what is found on the writer’s road. You don’t have the knowledge of what’s down each road, around each curve and over every hill. There is ALWAYS a reason when things don’t go according to plan. You just need to make sure we are open to that reason or we’ll miss an incredible blessing. Plans should only be guidelines. If you marry a specific […]
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